Wayland ESL Program potluck dinner a success

Friday

Nov 29, 2019 at 11:18 AMNov 29, 2019 at 11:18 AM

About 30 tutors and learners of English for speakers of other languages enjoyed a potluck dinner Nov. 14 at First Parish Church in Wayland with various foods representing cultures from all around the world.

The space had tables set up, so some early arrivers pitched in to set up chairs. Tablecloths were provided by a member of the steering committee. One of the heavier church tables had a red tablecloth on it and was used for desserts. An extra table at one side held drinks, cold and hot. A small table at the other side was used for name tags. Virginia Steel, director of the Wayland ESL Program, put welcoming signs on the two doors that led from the parking areas.

People arrived promptly and brought food. There were brownies and pies and a variety of main course dishes, hors d’oeuvres and salads.

Mostly learners sat with their tutors, finding comfort in the familiar, but conversations ran up and down the tables. Steel had prepared a few questions for people to answer on index cards at each table to help break the ice and prompt significant exchanges.

One learner, who had come prepared to speak, thanked her tutor for her tutoring and for hosting a biweekly reading/conversation group. This learner also expressed appreciation for the program as a whole, citing responsiveness when she first applied for a tutor. After that, one by one, many of the other tutors and, eventually, almost every one of the learners, spoke, regardless of their ability to articulate their thoughts in English. Several mentioned their surprise and pleasure in discovering that the tutors are “just ordinary people” who are volunteers — not on any government payroll. Tutors who spoke all told of learning as much as they are teaching.

One particular moment was when a learner from Israel told how transformative it has been to have a tutor who comes from Lebanon. She said that previously she, like other Lebanese, had viewed Israel “through a firewall.”

Steel spoke briefly to thank all for coming and to recommend for all the book “A Good Provider is One Who Leaves” by Jason deParle, and for tutors, the book “Learning One-to-One” by Ingrid Wisniewska.

Many hands made light work in clearing tables, putting away tables and chairs, washing dishes, removing trash, leaving everything in order. When Steel asked if another similar event should be planned in the future, the response was a yes.